Badiatob-cap lock



s. P. RICE ANI] EQ MICHELL.

RADIATOR CAP LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 26. Lezo.

Patented Aug. 9, 1921.

I gIgIIIII.

num/woz E-Jzfar M1507 eZ Z VZW'JI/MZZJB o e UNITE SITES PTENT OFFIE.

SHERWOOD l. RICE AND EDWARD MIGHELL, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

RADIATOR- CAP LOCK.

Application led July 26,

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that we, Snnnwooo P. Rien and EDWARD MIGHELL, citizens of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Vayne and State or" Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Radiator-Cap Locks; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in locks and it has for its object to provide a device oic this class which is especially designed ior locking an automobile radiator cap in place so that the temperature gage or other ornament which it carries cannot be stolen.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lock of this character which is novel and simple in construction, easy to apply, effective in use, attractive in appearance, and yet extremely inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lock of the above mentioned character which is of such construction that it may be used in connection with many diiierent, but conventional types of radiator caps without altering the latter in any wayV whatsoever.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying` drawings forming a part of the specilication and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same;

Figure l is an elevational view of a conventional type of radiator cap provided with a temperature gage, illustrating the manner in which our improved lock is associated with these parts.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the plane of the line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-e3 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings, for the purpose of illus tration, we have shown a conventional type of radiator cap and a temperature indicator sometimes known as a motometer, these parts being of the type used on Hudson and Essex automobiles. Briefly described, the

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 9, 1921.

1920. serial No. 398,864.

numeral l designates the radiator which car-- ries an upwardly extending internally screw-threaded neck 2 into which a nipple 3 is tapped. Detachably connected with the upper end of the nipple 3 is the radiator cap 4 ywhich in this instance is centrally apertured to permit the stem of a temperature gage 5 to be passed therethrough and secured in position in any suitable manner. In addition to the foregoing parts there is a jacket 6 which surrounds the neck 2, the same being provided with lateral projections er lugs 7 when constructed in accordance with our invention. At this point we desire to mention that the lugs 7 are not a part of the jacket 6 under ordinary circumstances, and are merely welded or riveted thereon 1n order to permit our improved lock to be used in connection therewith. @n some' makes of cars there is no jacket, consequently the lugs 7 will be secured directly to the neck to which the radiator cap is connected.

Our improved lock is preferably in the Yform of a housing 8, the same being made up of separable sections 9, preferably, but not necessarily, connected together by means of a hinge. rIhis hinge may be ci any suitable construction, so long as is disposed in thc inte ior ot the housing and is not accessible to pe sens who may try to remove the lock by this means. The hinge shown is merely in the term ci a pin l0 which is passed through the interengaged apertured ears ci the sections 9, the pin being provided with a screw-threaded head which is countersunk in the lcwermost ear to render it inaccessi ble. Each oit the sections 9 carries an inwardly extending lateral flange ll at its bottom which, when in position, is arranged beneath the lugs 7 so as to prevent the housing from being lifted up and removed. Adjacent the connected ends of the sections 9 and also adjacent the Hanges ll are lugs 12 which are adapted to abut the lugs 7 and prevent rotation of the lock when it is once placed in correct position. In order to retain the sections 9 together, we employ a suitable lock 13 which is preferably carried by the enlargements lll provided for this purpose. In order to make use of our improved lock when used in connection with the type of radiator cap and supporting means here shown and described, it is first necessary to equip the jacket 6 with a plurality of lugs as already described. In case there is no jacket employed, the lugs may be secured directly to the neck Q. After this is done, the lock may be readily attached. To do this, it is obvious that the sections 9 must :first be spread apart and brought around the cap and upper portion of the jacket 6 in such a way that the flange ll will swing beneath the lugs 7. It the lock carrying end of the device is pointed toward the front, the lugs lo carried by the sections 9 will engage the lugs 7 and prevent rotation oiLl the housing. Vhen the device is in this position, it may be held in place by simply actuating the lock 13.

A device constructed in accordance with the foregoing description is especially designed for retaining automobile radiator caps in position, consequently, if these caps should be provided with temperature gages or other valuable ornaments, the device will prevent these articles from being stolen. in this respect the device is extremely advantageous. At this point we desire to mention that in cases where the radiator cap carries one of these gages or other ornament, the meeting edges ot the hinged sections 9 must necessarily be provided with registrable notches to accommodate and permit passage ot'the stem of the gage or ornament therethrough. le desire to again emphasize the fact that our improved lock is not only simple and effective in use, but it is attractive and is such that it will not interfere with the reading of the gage.

A careful consideration ot the foregoing description` taken in combination with the accompanying drawings, will enable persons skilled in the art to which this invention relates to obtain a clear understanding oi' the same, therefore, further description is deemed unnecessary. I

It is tobe understood that the torni ol" our invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred '".orni ot the same, and that various minor changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing trom the spirit ing being formed with an aperture to permit passage or a temperature gage or other ornament carried by said closing cap, and co-acting means between said neck and the housing tor retaining the latter in operative position and preventing it "from being removed.

2. rlie combination with an automobile radiator including' irilling-neclY a closing cap for the latter, and a temperature connected to and carried by said cap oit a acket surrounding said neck and provided with a laterally extending lug, a. cup-shaped housing placed in an inverted position on and surrounding the aforesaid cap, said housing having an opening termes. in its closed side to permit passage therethrough of said gage, said housing being also provided with a shoulder Jfor coaction with the aforesaid lug.

3. A device oi' the class described comprising a substantially cup-shaped housing composed two symmetrical hingedly connected sections, having inwardly extending flanges at their lower edges tor extension beneath a shoulder formed on the jacket oi an automobile radiator filling-neck, one of said seftions being also providedwith a lug for engagement with said shoulder to prevent ion oit the housing when in operative position, the closed side ot the housing being formed with an opening to permit passage et a temperature gage or similar ornament therethrough, and a lock tor connecting` the tree ends ot the sections together.

ln testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

SHERW'QGD P. RICE. EDWARD MICHELL. 

